'Extremely intelligent' bear injures four in Japan, remains at large

An "extremely intelligent" bear injured four individuals in Fukushima, Japan, beginning on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, and has since eluded capture by authorities. The bear initially attacked employees at two factories and a woman in a residential area, causing both minor and moderate injuries.

This elusive animal displayed unusual cunning, reportedly turning on a water tap to drink and escaping an electronics factory by unlatching a locked window from the inside. Despite being hit with a tranquilizer dart, the bear showed no sedative effects and continued to evade police, hunters, and drones involved in the extensive search operation.

As of Friday, June 5, 2026, the bear remained at large, prompting local schools to close temporarily as a precautionary measure. This incident occurs amidst a broader trend of increasing bear sightings and attacks across Japan, with a record 13 fatalities reported in 2025.